Shubenkov’s hat-trick plan as Russia want trophy back

12.06.2015

Russia have, as expected, named a strong squad for the European Athletics Team Championships in Cheboksary next weekend as they show they mean business in their bid to regain the crown.

Their team includes world long jump champion Aleksandr Menkov, double European 110m hurdles champion Sergey Shubenkov and world indoor champions Mariya Kuchina, in the high jump, and Yekaterina Koneva, in the triple jump.

It is the sixth staging of the European Athletics Team Championships and Russia have been champions of this Super League on three occasions, in 2010, 2011 and 2013.

But after losing out 12 months ago by 12.5 points to Germany in Braunschweig, Russia want glory in front of their own supporters at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium on June 20-21.

Borzakovskiy made a mark in this competition when he won the 800m in Bergen in 2010 in 1:45.41, a championship record that still stands, and he sends out a squad packed with experience and medallists.